I cannot rely on myself and my lineage and my own actions as they will ultimately always fail me. Yes, I know that in the short run, there may be some benefit to me taking control or my ancestry from the ruling class (not really from royalty) or my great visible actions. I may see some “comfort” from it all, in fact Paul experienced all of it in his life.
“4though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” – Philippians 3:4-6 (ESV)
Paul was a great man in the world prior to his becoming great for Christ. He seemingly had it all, and yet when the LORD appeared to him, he saw that it all was just of the flesh and that there was so much more in the LORD and for following Him.
“21Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” – Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV)
The world is an enticing place and can lead to dependency and will ultimately lead to our undoing. I have to remember this in my life. The world is tempting, and seemingly even more so today. There is social media that is so easy to manipulate and everyone has things so great. The sense that “you too can have it all” is the sentiment as displayed. It is all about the comfort and the carefree approach. I hear and see of people having $100K monthly expenditures and I find myself wondering how I too can have it all and how good it would be. This is the fleeting life and so temporary. At any time the comfort could be gone and then, without the “needed” resources, I would find myself right back to the same place as before.
“2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—“ — Philippians 3:2-3 (ESV)
I have to put my confidence in the LORD and not in the world. Paul found that out and warns us to be aware of the evil in the world. The world only thinks of itself and its own survival and will toss us away once it has chewed us up. With Christ, we are not chewed up, we are lifted up and given the prospects of such a glorious future. The now may not be comfortable in the sense of the world standards, but our long term outlook is so great. Confidence in the flesh or the world will only lead to disappointment in the long term.
Where are you putting your confidence? Are you looking to the world and all of the “riches” it gives to get you through the long term? What if you realize that the now is just that and your confidence should be in the LORD who gives you future glory?
Trevor's Thoughts 